NOTD: Chanel Black Pearl

Today's NOTD holds a special place in my heart. While I've always loved nail polish, this was my first Chanel.  It's also the only Chanel that I've finished an entire bottle of and keep several backups around.

The always lovely Chanel Black Pearl- 2 coats, no topcoat.  This was originally released in Spring 2011.

I think I'm going to grab another backup bottle, just in case.

Diorskin Shimmer Star #002- Amber Diamond

I've already raved about Diorskin Shimmer Star #001 and implied what a game-changer it's been in terms of makeup.  Now it's time to look at shade #002, Amber Diamond.  Ironically, this is the shade that was first introduced to me by the Dior MUA, who admitted to using it on her whole face for lazy days.  I took that and ran with it, despite our difference in complexions.

As a highlighter, Amber Diamond is geared towards those with warmer and darker complexions than mine.  I'm pale enough that it can be used as a light bronzer on me.  You'll recall that Diorskin Shimmer Stars are actually designed to be illuminating powders/highlighters.  I use this palette as bronzer, illuminator, and eyeshadow.  At $45, it's significantly less expensive than the quints, and is a multi-purpose palette.

This is truly a lifesaver, and now both it and Rose Diamond live in my makeup bag because of their versatility.  Give me those 2, and just 3 or 4 other products (Concealer, mascara, eyeliner) and I've got a full face.

These come in a pouch, like all other Dior products.

There's a total of 10g/0.35oz in the palette, which is made in Italy.

This is just a beautiful palette:

There are 5 shades in the Diorskin Shimmer Stars which are meant to be swirled together to create an illuminating powder. I do that, but I also use them individually. I've attempted to break them out as well as give you some of the alternative uses.

• Shimmer Star #1 is an opalescent, golden white shimmer. It can be used individually as a highlighter, or around the eyes as an accent color- especially near the corners.
• Shimmer Star #2 is a shimmering nude that's just about flesh toned on me. It's a great shimmering eyeshadow, especially near the browbone. It's also a nice highlighter
• Shimmer Star #3 is a medium golden brown shimmer that can be used as an eyeshadow, but the size of the strip makes it difficult. This is best blended with other shades.
• Shimmer Star #4 is a medium shimmering brown. I use this as a daily eyeshadow all over my lids, and have used the most of it.
• Shimmer Star #5 is a golden nude. It doubles as a bronzer on me (light touch) and as an eyeshadow.

This is a bit easier to photograph than Rose Diamond because these are more golden/tan and therefore jump on my translucent rosy skin.


Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash (more accurate):

Bottom Line: Run, don't walk to your local Dior counter and play with this.  You'll bring it home, and it will change your makeup bag for the better. It's a crazy value, and who doesn't love a multipurpose palette? Especially one from Dior?

Pricing/Availability: $45 at Dior counters and Sephora.

NOTD: Tom Ford Dominatrix

Today's NOTD is one of two Tom Ford nail lacquers that I stared at for over a year before finally pulling the trigger.  And like a can of Pringles claims, once you pop, you can't stop.  My new mini Tom Ford collection is a testament to how much I adore this formula.

I can't rave enough about this formula.  Loyal readers may remember my grumbling about most manis not even lasting one full day on my hands.  Tom Ford nail lacquers just go and go and go on me!  It's true love.

Dominatrix was released in Fall 2012 but added to the permanent collection. It can be found at Tom Ford counters at Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and others.

These swatches are with three thin coats of polish, and two thin coats of The Formula topcoat.  Amazingly enough, these are from Day 3 of 5 of this mani! Unreal!

I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm ready to pronounce this $32 nail lacquer a true value due to its longevity. I've played with a few colors and get multiple chip-free days.  Not even my beloved Chanels do that.


Here's another shot of this polish:

Tom Ford Ombre Eye Color 02 She Wolf

My makeup habit has gotten significantly more expensive within the past month.  When I bought my first Dior quint during the VIB sale (review to come), that was the most expensive single item I'd bought. Then I met Tom Ford, and it's been downhill since then.

The eyeshadow trio I'm bringing you today has already been reviewed by other bloggers since it was a fall release. However, it's still available via Saks and Neiman Marcus, so I feel the need to show you just why you need a $60 neutral taupe eyeshadow trio.  Because, dear readers, you need this in your life like now.

Like all other high-end cosmetics, this comes with a lovely dustbag:

Pro tip: the dustbag works well to shine the compact and remove fingerprints.

The compact itself feels rich and weighty:

02 She Wolf contains 3 eyeshadows that weigh in at a total 0.16oz and retails for $60.  Yes, it's hefty, but this trio is the nicest powder eyeshadow I've ever worked with.

I took quite a few photos of this trio before swatching.

Outside, in indirect light:

Inside, with flash:

Inside, without flash:

I think the indoor photos do a decent job of showing off the glitterbomb that She Wolf #3 appears to be in the pan.  Now, let's talk about the shades.

• She Wolf #1 is a rich chocolate brown.  This is the shade that worried me the most when I purchased the trio, but the MUA at the counter assured me that it was workable. I may go back for some additional smoky eye guidance from him (I have a standing offer if I have questions).
• She Wolf #2 is a metallic taupey greige that is like the grownup version of Urban Decay's Mushroom.  That is, it's the more sophisticated sister that's appropriate for the boardroom.
• She Wolf #3 is a glittery shade that scares a lot of people, but I've found it very workable.

Now, some swatches.  I'll discuss how I used these shades in my weeks of testing after you've seen the colors.

Inside, no flash:

Inside, flash:

Outside:

Outside, at an angle:

Overall, I adore this trio.  I've never experienced such high-quality eyeshadows before- and I own Chanel, Dior, and the rest.  These are velvety and totally blendable. They are a joy to work with- and I've been wearing nothing else on my eyes since I purchased them.  Here's a couple of my looks:

Look #1: Nighttime
She Wolf #1: Smoked, near lashline, outside of lids
She Wolf #2:  All over the lids
She Wolf #3: inside of lids, smoked in crease and a bit above

Look #2: Daytime with a kick
She Wolf #2: lids
She Wold #3: Inside of lids (I wear glasses), very lightly applied and blended to get most of the glitter toned down and the light tan remaining to the crease.

With just a simple MAC 239 (I think, I need to look- the lid brush), I can blend and adapt these shadows.  They're so easy to work with, and I'm so glad that I have this trio.  It's an expensive neutral trio, but a foundational piece in my makeup stash.

Even with all of the blending, I had no problems with fallout.  With NARS eyeshadow primer, it's still fresh 15-16 hours later when I remove it.  This is seriously the perfect trio.

Bottom Line: I never would've believed it 5 weeks ago, but this is a must-have.  Beautiful neutrals that can create any number of looks.

Pricing/Availability: $60, at Tom Ford counters. Still online at Neiman Marcus.  Hurry, because this is LE for Fall 2013.

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show Embellished Blues

Today's NOTD is another fun drugstore selection.  Of all of the brands, I enjoy Maybelline's Color Show line.

Shade #755 Embellished Blues is a part of the LE Brocades collection for Holiday 2013.

This is such a fun, sparkly color- and shockingly enough, it's a one-coat wonder!

That's right, these swatches are with one coat, no top coat.

NARS Cream Blush- Enchanted

Today I'm going to be showing you something relatively rare in my stash- a cream blush.  This makes the third that I own, and by far this is my new favorite.

NARS Enchanted is described as "soft peach with gold sparkle."  It's like Orgasm's lighter, sheerer cousin.  And I love it.

Outside, in indirect light

Inside, with flash

I love the texture of these- velvety smooth and very buildable.  You can easily add and then buff in layers, with just the amount that you want.

Inside, no flash

Inside, with flash

Outside

Bottom Line: I really love this formula, and I'll probably pick up another shade or two.  This is much more blendable than Urban Decay or MUFE's cream blushes.

Pricing/Availability: $29, via NARS website.  I picked this up for $10 in the sale section of Sephora's site, so you should keep an eye out for it to show up from time to time. It's well-worth it at either price.

NOTD: Tom Ford Mink Brulee

Today's NOTD is a color I would've passed up a few months ago before I understood the true power of a neutral nail.

Mink Brulee is a warm, caramel-toned creme from Tom Ford's permanent line of nail lacquers.  I'd highly recommend this as a potential holiday gift.  I wore this all Thanksgiving week, and it even stood up to cooking dinner for everyone.

Christian Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Back in this post, I mentioned Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara as an item in the Holiday 2013 kit that I wouldn't be reviewing until I had to open a new mascara.  Well, that time came a couple of weeks ago and I'm ready to give my thoughts about it.

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara retails for $28.50 and promises "spectacular volume and curl professional mascara."  More, from the box:

• "Its curved brush with exceptional curling abilities delivers instant styling of the entire lash line."
• "Its shape-holding, volumizing formula is enriched with 'K-polymers'-strengthening, coating, and fixing agents- and immediately plumps and reshapes lashes, revealing astonishing curl. Its deep restructuring skincare ingredients work to create a more spectacular curl day after day."

First, I'm going to throw a major flag on any mascara that claims skincare benefits. I have serious doubts of the validity of those claims. Then again, it's not a mascara if it doesn't claim to do everything short of curing cancer these days, right?

Let's take a better look at the wand to evaluate the curved brush.

That's a fairly significant curve.

I find that, overall, this does a really good job.  It's essential to wipe your wand off with a tissue to remove most of the mascara to avoid clumps, but I can get away without curling my lashes with this mascara.

Would I specifically repurchase? Possibly, but it's not going to be a staple in my mascara wardrobe. I like it better than Diorshow New Look, but less than Diorshow Extase.  It's a nice, serviceable, curling mascara. Does it set the world on fire? No. But do I need to layer it? Nope.

Pricing/Availability: $28.50, at Dior counters and Sephora.

NOTD: Tom Ford Toasted Sugar

Today's NOTD is a beautiful nude shade from Tom Ford's permanent collection that is being repromoted for Holiday 2013.

Tom Ford Toasted Sugar is a true nude creme.  Unlike most nudes, this self-levels and is opaque with three thin coats. This is an award-winning shade for a reason.

These swatches are with three thin coats, one coat of Formula X top coat.

It's beautiful on me, but it would likely be stunning and truly pop on darker complexions than mine (which is 99.9% of the population).

Bite Lip Layers- Bold

Today I bring you a great stocking stuffer. The store designers at Sephora must agree with me, since it's found in the bins near the checkout.

Bite Lip Layers is a double-ended lipstick that comes in two shades: neutral and bold. I'll be bringing you the Bold duo.  It consists of Pomegranate and Vidal.

For these swatches, Vidal is on the left, Pomegranate on the right:

Inside, no flash

Inside, with flash

Outside

The photos should indicate that these are beautiful matte creams.

Vidal is a bright pink that's very bold on the lips.

I found it to be bold yet wearable on the lips, much like everything I've tried from Bite.

Inside, no flash

Inside, flash (sorry for the blurriness)

Outside

Whereas Pomegranate is a a bold red.

It's a lot on the lips, but I think this would be great for an evening event, especially around the holidays:

Inside, no flash

Inside, with flash

Outside

Bottom Line: At $12, this is a fantastic stocking stuffer or way to try Bite's lip formula for yourself.  This has been out for awhile, but is still lurking at many Sephora and Sephora inside JC Penney locations.

Pricing/Availability: $12, at Sephora.